Putting aside the issues that arise from such a thing, I have an idea for a solution.

Instead of the whole PG-13 in theaters + unrated DVD thing that some do, why not release PG-13 and R versions in theaters simultaneously? Either with two different auditoriums or with the R-rated version running after 8 PM or something.

Or even adjust showings based on digital ticket pre-orders.

Aweson, because that requires thinking logically.

And this is Hollywood.

Cpt Toellner said
Aweson, because that requires thinking logically.And this is Hollywood.

[2]

Because R-rated movies usually have scenes that belong in pornos, and theatres don't want to have to clean up jizz stains.

Also I imagine that their current way of doing things generates more money. As it currently stands, if you'd rather see the uncut version, you can see the PG-13 version in theaters and then have incentive to buy the DVD later, what with its extra content and all. Under your method, people can just see the version they want the first time and have less reason to buy the DVD.

Not that I'm an expert on this. Just a thought.

Kaga said
Also I imagine that their current way of doing things generates more money. As it currently stands, if you'd rather see the uncut version, you can see the PG-13 version in theaters and then have incentive to buy the DVD later, what with its extra content and all. Under your method, people can just see the version they want the first time and have less reason to buy the DVD. Not that I'm an expert on this. Just a thought.

Yeah, it would likely hurt DVD sales and help theater sales. But I think satisfying costumers and making them feel like they're being catered to might have some intangible benefits for a movie. And I bet a lot of filmmakers would rather see the total revenue from a film skewed more towards the theater end of the chart than it currently is. Better to brag with an opening weekend number than a total lifetime gross number, I would think.

People know they are being hosed with the PG-13/Director's Cut nonsense. Make the customers happy, yo. Plus I'm sure directors would rather have their actual version of the film played during opening weekend. And producers will be happy with the PG-13 version. Less comprises and less fuckery with the film-making process in general.

The Nexerus said
Because R-rated movies usually have scenes that belong in pornos, and theatres don't want to have to clean up jizz stains.

Hardly, R rated is essentially dry humping with an occasional boob slip.

Why do we need mpaa ratings at all, if we're being logical.

Doivid said
Why do we need mpaa ratings at all, if we're being logical.

So we know which movies kids of certain ages shouldn't watch?

Bring back the 70s ratings. Tits or no tits.

Awson said
So we know which movies kids of certain ages shouldn't watch?

Well then the current system is a bit flawed for that.

idlehands said
Bring back the 70s ratings. Tits or no tits.

PG had tits back in the day (while I wasn't existing.)

The current rating system is flawed, but necessary. It could use some reconfiguring but that's not going to happen any time soon. It more or less serves its purpose for studios and mothers alike.

EDIT: Wee, I happened to accidentally reply adequately to two posts instead of one.

Awson said
PG had tits back in the day (while I wasn't existing.)The current rating system is flawed, but necessary. It could use some reconfiguring but that's not going to happen any time soon. It more or less serves its purpose for studios and mothers alike.

tbh I see more people (who actually care about the ratings) use those websites like familysomething or other that document everything potentially risky in the movie, than who pay attention to the ratings. Most of the kids I knew were either brought to rated R movies by their parents or the parents didn't care if they watched them. It's sort of like the outmoded standards for network tv. No one cares about them anymore except to appease a certain segment or for business reasons. I see the mpaa system used more often than not to push around movie makers and threaten to torpedo their chances of a decent box office, than any affirmation that it's actually helping guide anyone.

Like the 2 fucks rule, that seems awfully arbitrary.

Doivid said
tbh I see more people (who actually care about the ratings) use those websites like familysomething or other that document everything potentially risky in the movie, than who pay attention to the ratings. Most of the kids I knew were either brought to rated R movies by their parents or the parents didn't care if they watched them. It's sort of like the outmoded standards for network tv. No one cares about them anymore except to appease a certain segment or for business reasons. I see the mpaa system used more often than not to push around movie makers and threaten to torpedo their chances of a decent box office, than any affirmation that it's actually helping guide anyone.Like the 2 fucks rule, that seems awfully arbitrary.

It is indeed arbitrary. I'm still not convinced that it's bad (as in needs to be fixed immediately bad), personally. But I am sure that movie studios aren't going to change shit. They've made a label that they can put on most movies that will cause most people to feel comfortable watching it.

People who care in the way you say, that is "enough to look up alternatives and to talk about it publicly" are a vocal minority. Most of the masses don't care enough to look into how the ratings work or to look for an alternative. All they know is that PG-13 works for them and their family, and that's going to be the safe bet for them. They don't really care to look at it past that.

Awson said
It is indeed arbitrary. I'm still not convinced that it's bad (as in ), personally. But I am sure that movie studios aren't going to change shit. They've made a label that they can put on most movies that will cause most people to feel comfortable watching it. People who care in the way you say, that is "enough to look up alternatives and to talk about it publicly" are a vocal minority. Most of the masses don't care enough to look into how the ratings work or to look for an alternative. All they know is that PG-13 works for them and their family, and that's going to be the safe bet for them. They don;t really care to look at it past that.

You'd be surprised with apps and shit nowadays. The site I was thinking of was https://www.commonsensemedia.org/. Parents that care enough to complain about dodgy content in so called pg/pg13 movies make comments and describe what they see, on that website. It's actually funny how some of it is described.

Doivid said
You'd be surprised with apps and shit nowadays. The site I was thinking of was . Parents that care enough to complain about dodgy content in so called pg/pg13 movies make comments and describe what they see, on that website. It's actually funny how some of it is described.

That is indeed interesting and a good idea for parents who want that service. And it certainly makes the MPAA look infantile in comparison.

But just because the system is better for concerned parents doesn't mean it's better for lazy parents or movie studios. Both can exist. If you want the better system then you probably know about the better system and can utilize it for yourself. There's no point in bringing down the current setup because a better, niche one exists. And it is still niche.

The argument against what I am saying is that the MPAA system sometimes cuts off certain films from greater viewership by classifying them as R when it as actually more complex than that and is only an R for breaking an arbitrary rule on 'fucks'.

And while that certainly is a loss, the simple arbitrary rules work most of the other times for keeping most of the people happy. There tends to be a few casualties to simplicity.

But the real reason that people shouldn't worry too much about the MPAA is that they can just take matters into their own hands. The people who actually care about how flawed the system are can typically override it themselves.

Everyone is talking about a film right now, I don't remember the title, and they are arguing that it should be PG-13 despite it's uses of 'fuck'. Some are claiming that the R has something to do with the homosexual nature of the film, but that's neither here nor there.

The point is, I wouldn't have even heard about this film if not for people saying online how screwed over it got by getting an R. So the end result is people who care fighting the system successfully. It all kinda works out.

I hope that made sense as I'm talking out of my ass a bit.

Some are claiming that the R has something to do with the homosexual nature of the film

Wait, I may be mixing up movies here. But I know that there's another movie that fits this category so w/e

There definitely needs to a an official rating system. People saying "Get rid of the system!" are silly. And people who want to change the existing system are wasting their time. The MPAA exists to service Hollywood, and it's doing its job.

The proper way to get rid of the MPAA is to make an official movie rating system that actually makes its way onto movies alongside the MPAA rating. Difficult, but not impossible. Then it's your job to convince people that the new system is more relevant, which you couldn't do if it wasn't in front of their face already because they can't be assed to care otherwise.

And then you can convince the theaters to enforce the age limits of the new system instead of the old one.

Well I wouldn't call myself silly for saying it's outmoded and used primarily for business purpose. So as long as we're talking out of our asses here, I think it's pointless and has outlasted its original use, which most people don't hold as a value system anymore.

I really dislike seeing it used to censor and essentially blackmail filmmakers.

Doivid said
Well I wouldn't call myself silly for saying it's outmoded and used primarily for business purpose. So as long as we're talking out of our asses here, I think it's pointless and has outlasted its original use, which most people don't hold as a value system anymore.I really dislike seeing it used to censor and essentially blackmail filmmakers.

If my dual release idea in the OP came to fruition, it would effectively get rid of the blackmailing

The internet is doing that anyway, but copyright trolling and the toxic culture of hollywood is hanging onto it.

I think I know which movie you referred to, if you were referring to a specific one? In Paranorman, arguably a kids film (though there's some other scenes parents would find disturbing), the joke about a character being homosexual really outraged people who thought it was a 'family' film. I thought it got a pg13 rating though.